Outcome IRQ_D_8.3

People in Iraq participate in and benefit from effective mechanisms – at national, sub-national and community levels – that prevent, mitigate and manage conflict, and contribute to social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, with particular focus on women and youth leadership in decision-making, peace-building and reconciliation processes.

People in Iraq, with a particular focus on women and youth, have actively participated in and benefited from mechanisms at national, sub-national, and community levels aimed at preventing, mitigating, and managing conflict, as well as promoting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence. A total of 100 women participated in regional workshops under the National Women’s Peace Mediators Network, held in Baghdad, Erbil, and Basra. These workshops provided advanced training in mediation, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding, equipping participants with the skills to actively engage in decision-making, reconciliation processes, and community leadership. These efforts highlight significant progress in fostering inclusive conflict management and empowering women and youth as leaders in building sustainable peace across Iraq

People in Iraq participate in and benefit from effective mechanisms – at national, sub-national and community levels – that prevent, mitigate and manage conflict, and contribute to social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, with particular focus on women and youth leadership in decision-making, peace-building and reconciliation processes.

The Department for Women’s Empowerment in the General Secretariat of the Iraqi Council of Ministers (DWE) developed and is now able to start implementing a second National Strategy for Iraqi Women (2023-2030). The strategy aims to foster women’s political, economic and social empowerment and protection, thus contributing to increase social cohesion and women's role in decision-making and leadership. The strategy represents a fundamental step towards the effective mainstreaming and institutionalization of women’s empowerment and leadership across the work of Iraqi legislative and executive institutions. UN Women provided technical and financial support to national Iraqi women’s machineries enhancing the DWE ability to develop the Second National Strategy for Iraqi Women (2023-2030) in a consultative process.

People in Iraq participate in and benefit from effective mechanisms – at national, sub-national and community levels – that prevent, mitigate and manage conflict, and contribute to social cohesion and peaceful coexistence, with particular focus on women and youth leadership in decision-making, peace-building and reconciliation processes.

UN Women supported women at the grassroot level in a number of different initiatives and interlinked projects relating to this outcome. The most essential of which was supporting a cadre of aspirants and candidates who are looking to run for elections in 2023. To ensure governmental and national buy in UN Women coordinated with national authorities at the federal level including key parliamentary committees, as well as ministries and departments within the government to ensure alignment on key Women’s political participation principles and workplans. UN Women also supported initiatives targeting women at the local level in workshops and capacity building sessions focused on empowerment, social protection and conflict resolution.